Van Orden v. Perry

Establishment of Religion, First Amendment, Bill of Rights, Confrontation Clause, Defamation, Establishment Clause, First Amendment, Free Exercise, murder, patent, public schools, separation of church and state

PartyNames: Thomas Van Orden v. Rick Perry, in his Official Capacity as Governor of Texas and Chairman, State Preservation Board, et al.Petitioner: Thomas Van OrdenRespondent: Rick Perry, in his Official Capacity as Governor of Texas and Chairman, State Preservation Board, et al.

Court Below: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitCitation: 351 F3d 173Supreme Court Docket

Thomas Van Orden v. Rick Perry, in his Official Capacity as Governor of Texas and Chairman, State Preservation Board, et al. 545 U.S. 677 (2005)

Question Presented:

Whether a large monument, 6 feet high and 3 feet wide, presenting the Ten Commandments, located on government property between the Texas State Capitol and the Texas Supreme Court, is an impermissible establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment.

Question:

Does a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of a state capitol building violate the First Amendment's establishment clause, which barred the government from passing laws "respecting an establishment of religion?"